A team of specially trained Sumatran elephants has been sent into Pidie Jaya District, Aceh, to clear uprooted trees and debris left by the recent flash floods. Footage from Meunasah Bie village shows four elephants opening access to isolated communities after machinery failed to navigate the waterlogged terrain of Meurah Dua sub-district.⁣ ⁣ The animals were deployed from the Saree Elephant Training Centre on a week-long mission ending December 14. The elephants are clearing fallen trees, delivering emergency supplies, and assisting searches for the missing in one of the worst-hit areas. Aceh has a long history of using elephants in disaster response, including after the 2004 tsunami.⁣ ⁣ Relentless late-November rains triggered floods and landslides that have killed at least 950 people across Aceh, North Sumatra and West Sumatra, with 274 still missing. Officials estimate Sumatra’s reconstruction costs at $3.11 billion.⁣ ⁣ #floods⁣ #elephants⁣ #landslides⁣ #indonesia